BAR and the eternal optimism

[DaveKillens]

I recall when BAR was first formed, some of the principals predicted that BAR would garner a win in their first season. Well, we all now know that never happened, didn't even come close. And through the years, especially in the last two, every so often a BAR principal comes out and predicts that they are on the verge of running at the top, or winning, or getting a title.
The latest comes from Nick Fry
http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=94882.
You know, I''d love to see them win, I would like to see them be at the top. But in all honesty, apart from their wonderful improvement last year, BAR fail to impress me. Even now, their mortal rival, Toyota are steadily improving, now to the point where they run and finish high.
So I would like to see the people at BAR stop talking, and get the job done. In fact, I'm watching very closely to see who gets their first win, Toyota or Honda/BAR first. My money is on Toyota.
Maybe that's why Reubens is going to BAR.... he can win.

[jaslfc]

i thinkso BAR got their priorities wrong from the beginning.They only chase the DRIVERS and not the engineers and designers.Fine its important to have a very good driver but instead of BAR payin JV and now button buckets full of money and 'steal' top engineers frm other teams they would have been much better.Look at toyota, ever since Mike Gascoyne came into the picture the toyota showed alot of improvement. That my opinion

[Scuderia_Russ]

Agreed. It was doomed frm the beginning when they took over the Tyrell team. Instead of drawing on the years of experience within the original team and building on it, they sacked everyone and started from scratch. Bad idea!!

[DaveKillens]

Agreed, their initial approach to F1 was just as screwed as Jaguar's. And their track record showed it. But hopefully, there is a new philosophy at BAR, and maybe one day, they will be geniune, long term contenders.
BAR has come so very close, but it seems, each time they almost reach the summit, they falter for one reason or another, and slip back.
Meanwhile, teams like Renault and Toyota have steadily improved, building on a steady base, taking it one step at a time, rarely suffering major setbacks.

[Bazza1]

Interesting to note that the most successful teams at present are all manufacturers, with the obvious exception of McLaran Mercedes. Perhaps Honda should take over 100%

[joseff]

Dude, McLaren IS 40% Mercedes-owned.

[Bazza1]

Thanks exactly my point